Council Matters: Rossland City Council Meetings, October 5, 2026
By Sara Golling
The final meeting of this council, with emotional farewells; neighbours weigh in on a rezoning application; a close decision on one request; reserve funds explained and updates in progress; looking forward to Rekindle … and more.
PRESENT:
Mayor Andy Morel and Councillors Maya Provençal, Jeff, Weaver, Lisa Kwiatkowski (remote), Craig Humpherys, Eliza Boyce, and Stewart Spooner
Staff: CAO Bryan Teasdale, CFO Craig McDonald, Manager of Public Works and Infrastructure Scott Lamont, Manager of Recreation and Events Lindsay Barnett, Deputy Corporate Officer Cyntha Ano Nuevo, Executive Assistant Rachel Newton, and Deputy Operations Manager Josh Solman
PUBLIC HEARING
The Public Hearing was held to enable public input on changing the zoning of the property at 2025 First Avenue from R-2 Medium Density Residential, to R-DT Downtown Residential.
The owner wishes to build a six-unit residential townhouse on the property and the new zoning will enable that project, subject to conditions required by the City.
A resident spoke to register his opinion that the Downtown zone is fine for Columbia and Washington, but not appropriate for First Avenue. Another spoke to ask about parking for the proposed six units, and said she would much prefer a four-unit place there; Solman explained the current proposal for parking, and both he and Morel explained that the application before Council at this time is just for the rezoning, but no building design has been approved and would still have to be addressed separately.
Boyce noted that once property has been rezoned, it is difficult to deny a developer any project that complies with the zoning bylaw. Teasdale noted that it will be the new council, not the current one, that makes the decision on this application. Morel encouraged the concerned residents to put their thoughts in writing and send them to the City, so that the next council will have those concerns before them when they make the decision on the rezoning application.
The Public Hearing adjourned at 6:14 pm.
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
Morel noted that this is the final meeting of this council, and expressed his thanks to City Staff, and to the citizens of Rossland who supported Council in many ways, and who supported him and his wife during a difficult year. He thanked the other members of Council and some tears happened here and there.
PUBLIC INPUT PERIOD:
No one spoke.
Sustainability Commission: The following information embedded in the minutes of the Sustainability Commission (SC) held on September 15, 2026, illustrate some of the SC’s work:
“FCM (Federation of Canadian Municipalities) Stormwater Modelling Grant: The RFP was awarded to WSP who will be conducting engagement with the SC on October 6, 2026. More information to come on the timing and format of the meeting.
“FCM Grant for backup power: The City is working through this project that supports
improvements to the McLeod Ave pump station.
“FCM Urban Tree Management Grant: The City was successful in their grant application. The RFP to engage a consultant in the work is expected to be released later this fall with
work commencing in early 2027.”
BYLAWS:
Zoning Amendment Bylaw # 2872 – Indoor Self Storage
Motions to give the bylaw third reading, and to adopt it, both CARRIED unanimously.
2027 Permissive Tax Exemption Bylaw # 2873
A motion to adopt the Permissive Tax Exemption Bylaw CARRIED unanimously.
POLICY REVIEW:
Reserve and Surplus Policy (as amended)
The materials for this meeting point out that “Healthy reserve/surplus levels are important in achieving community goals including financial health and stability. Additionally, reserves/surplus goals need to be consistent with the supportive [sic] of realistic longer-term financial plans and the City’s overall Asset Management Investment Plan.”
The policy includes lists of reserve funds and the desired quantum range for each, and the amount currently held in each. Amendments update the amounts currently held, and include some adjustments to the desired range for each fund.
A motion to adopt the policy as amended CARRIED unanimously.
REQUESTS FOR COUNCIL DECISION:
Development Variance Permit — 2013 Cook Avenue:
The owner wants to re-establish a carport alongside the house, where there was a carport in the past, and to make a deck on top of it. The variance is required to make the carport large enough to be functional.
A motion to allow the variance CARRIED unanimously.
Heritage Commission — Statements of Significance:
A motion to endorse the Heritage Commission’s recommendation to pursue the preparation of a Statement of Significance for the Mater Misericordiae building (at 1961 Georgia Street) and Huckleberry Flats site (in the Red Mountain area) to support their future consideration for inclusion on the Community Heritage Register CARRIED (Spooner refrained from voting) after some discussion about the value of the Heritage Commission’s work to locals and tourism, and about the value of including Huckleberry Flats, as a part of reconciliation – including a part of Rossland’s indigenous history.
Humpherys asked about legal ramifications; Teasdale explained that the current ask is just to do more research on the topic.
Youth Action Network Service Agreement – Renewal:
A motion to renew the agreement with the Family Action Network for coordinating the Youth Action Network in 2026-2027, within the budget provided, CARRIED unanimously.
As explained in the Council materials for this meeting,
“Columbia Basin Trust (CBT) operates the regional Youth Basin Network. CBT provides funding to the City for community programming to engage youth aged 12-18. Rossland operates the Youth Action Network (YAN) as part of this regional program in the YAN building adjacent to City Hall and across the street from Rossland Summit School.”
Provençal enthusiastically supported the YAN work and made some suggestions for the future.
The materials explain the YAN funding in more detail, and interested readers can find that information on pp. 55 and 56 of the Council package for this meeting.
Rossland Recreation Master Plan Implementation:
A motion to receive the Rossland Recreation Master Plan Implementation
Committee White Paper Three – Partnership and Process (2026) CARRIED unanimously. This third White Paper is to explore ” ideas to increase revenue streams, strengthen partnerships with community groups, increase business planning rigor, and support a thriving trail network.”
How the City spent money in September, 2026: Municipal Cheque Register Report
Municipal spending for September 2026 came to $1,020,688.91. Every transaction for the month is listed in the register. A motion to approve the expenditures CARRIED unanimously.
FOR INFORMATION ONLY:
Corporate management Plan – summarizes progress on the City’s plans and projects.
Q3 Budget Update – a reality check: what was planned and has actually happened so far.
Council perused the usual monthly reports:
Building Permit Report
Building Permit Inspections by Type
Step Code Energy Rebates
Public Works & Water Production Report
Eye On Water Report
Bylaw Enforcement & Animal Control Monthly Report. One file involved cats roaming at large in the Columbia Avenue area and entering business premises; another was a dog designated as dangerous; and roosters in a rural zone gave rise to a noise complaint.
REQUESTS ARISING FROM CORRESPONDENCE:
Rekindle the Spirit of Christmas 2026 Event Request:
A motion to approve the use of City electrical supply and sidewalks for the Rekindle the Spirit of Christmas Event on Saturday, December 5, 2026, CARRIED unanimously.
Rossland Heritage Pool Society Request:
The Rossland Heritage Pool Society hopes to maintain Rossland’s outdoor pool well into the future, and to host two fundraising dances at the Miners Hall to that end; one on Friday, November 20th, 2026, and one in March 2027 (date to be determined). The Society is requesting that the City waive the Miners Hall rental fees as in-kind support; for the two dates, that would amount to a contribution of $1,350.
Weaver was unwilling to set a precedent of waiving Miners Hall fees for groups, and Spooner agreed. Humpherys said he would support waiving fees for the first date, but not for the March 2027 date. Provençal said she would support waiving only the first date, but not the cleaning fee. Boyce commented that she thought the fee for a non-profit is on the high side; she likes the idea of having the hall being used — she felt a bit “on the fence”, but supported Provençal’s suggestion. Weaver was still unwilling to set a precedent. Morel noted that this conversation has gone around the table many times in the past, and reminded everyone that there is a cost to maintaining the hall, so he would not support the motion. Provençal still wants to give the society a chance to see if it works.
Provençal made a motion and it CARRIED, four to three. The Rossland Heritage Pool Society will have the Miners Hall fee waived for their November 2026 date.
MEMBER REPORTS:
Council members each thanked each other, and thanked Staff for their service during the past four years, and appreciated the cooperation, the civility and level of basic respect during disagreements, and learning experiences. There were many heartfelt words, and some tears of deep emotion.
Morel and Kwiatkowski had both attended the UBCM, and the Sinixt Reconciliation event, in which SRRAC was recognized for their advocacy. Morel commented that the UBCM was disappointing, in that Rossland reps were able to speak with decision-makers – who will likely not be decision-makers after the upcoming provincial election; he recommended that Rossland spend more effort on targeted lobbying. Morel passed around a small whitish disc and asked for guesses about what it is; in very large numbers, it is part of the liquid waste processing at the new Columbia Pollution Control Centre, which is now 93% complete, on time and on budget.
Teasdale then expressed Staff appreciation for councillors’ contributions over the past four years, and handed out plaques and little gift baggies to each councillor.
The meeting adjourned at 7:30 pm, and after that, Weaver’s birthday was marked with cupcakes and a couple of candles.
Your reporter walked home in the dark, without meeting any bears, and hoping that the next Rossland City Council will work together as respectfully and harmoniously and this outgoing one did, even under the increasing pressures that the many effects of accelerating climate change, growing imbalances of wealth and political unrest are likely to cause.
